2000 Miles, What should I take?
 

I have an 83 300sd I am going to drive from Athens, GA to Kalamazoo next month. I will be pulling a small pop-up camper. What do you think I should take with me? I plan on fuel filters and tools what else do you think I need?


Jon

I usually carry a spare set of belts (the old ones from the last replacement), a couple of small fuel filters, a big fuel filter, and assortment of fuses, light bulbs, etc., and enough tools for minor repairs. If you car uses any oil, I would carry a jug of whatever you like to use. It's probably more important to check out the car before you leave.

I just helped someone the other day with a blown hose far away from home.
Check your hoses and maybe bring plumbing repair tape, You'll probably have extra water on hand.

Don't forget the duct tape!

also the battery fluid levels

Bring lots of money for fuel!

inspect oil cooler lines.:D

a spare engine in case the timing chain takes a dump.:eek:

Charlie

Voltage regulator, if you haven't replaced it yet.

I second the voltage regulator-- although you can get some more miles out of a worn out one by smacking it, should it wear down to the point where it no longer makes contact.

Also, being a diesel you can drive forever without one- if the sun doesn't go down and you dont like radio/AC etc...

That said, replace it- cheap.

The only part to ever leave me stranded in 10 years- knock on wood.

I'm at your destination. Let me know if you need any assistance, tools, working area/garage once you arrive. Happy to help if I can.

If you post your route, you're likely to find plenty of help along the way!

You might want to throw in a couple pairs of nitril or latex gloves and a few shop towels, in the unfortunate event that you have to get your hands dirty.

Also, I always carry some zip ties - you never know what might shake loose!

transmission fluid, oil, water. If you have a spare car battery laying around they can come in use when you leave your light on at a restaurant or something.

As my old boss used to say, Pack everything you would hope you would never need.

Exactly!

I keep a set of tools, a gallon of oil, duct tape, two gallons of water and two quarts of trans fluid in the car at all times. I also carry a gallon container of B100 -- works as a lubricity additive when buying Dino D and comes in handy if you run out inthe middle of nowhere at least you got 20miles on that gallon :D Since I have switched to B100, I also carry two primary filters and one secondary filter. I also carry last year's fuses around for emergency spares (I change them yearly regardless of if they work or not)

Do you guys really carry all that stuff? I'm about to drive from CO to SoCA to TX to MO to CO over the next few weeks. I will have a small tool box and my usual filters/belts, you can't possibly carry every part that might fail. Bring a cell phone and some money.

Yeah it's impossible to cover every situation.
Last year I drove my diesel converted fintail 3000 miles. Since the conversion was finished just a few weeks before the trip I didn't worry about the engine/tranny too much.
Of course something failed right after 150 miles - front brake caliper stuck. I brought with me all tools, filters, hoses, small jack and every kind of nut & bolt, but that didn't help. It just wasn't possible to repair a stuck caliper on the roadside.. :(
(I had sheer luck when I passed a barn that had MB hubcaps all over it, stopped by and talked to the farmer who had scrapped a number of fintails and had a good caliper + not-so-worn pads for me for a MB-friend price)

Best advice would be to take most commonly needed tools with you, some filters and hoses.. AND get to know in advance what junk yards there are along the trip, where they are located and when they're open. Also get to know if there's any forum members or other MB enthusiasts along the road that'd be willing to help you if you get in trouble.

Good luck, those long trips are fun with older unpredictable cars :D

I just went from sf-tahoe-vegas. I got a crazy vibration as I rolled into town(must of been the first time I went under 60 in 200 miles) I thought it might be a flex disc. I got lucky that I found a shop in Phurump Nv to do it for me on in a bind before I went home.

my woman and i just drove from portland to phoenix, on saturday, 1334 miles, both cars made it great! .. i overheated on the grapevine so mayby check out your fan clutch and thermostat if you have any major passes.. i didnt and it still powered through the grapevine after an hour of rest, ive driven a newer pontiac up the i5 from phoenix, but our mercedes are ten years older than that pontiac. they made it strong, although the oregon plates on two mercedes rolling through LA traffic encouraged other drivers to take advantage of the pick a lane and stay in it style of driving from oregon... my boots were torn too before even starting the trip, murphys law didnt kick in... except loosing my girlfriend in LA with four bucks in my pocket and a dead cell phone.... found her thankfully

Sleeping Bag and small tent!!!!

and leave the camper.

Duct tape and WD40.

If it moves and shouldn't - duct tape!
If it doesn't move and should - WD40!

The drive was was great. When I left Georgia fuel was 4.89/gal. When I left Kalamazoo fuel was 3.89, I almost didnt come home. I took nothing but a fuel filter and a gallon of oil. I thought my car would use oil but after driving a little over 2500 miles it only burned about a quart. This was the best road trip I have ever taken and I would not hesitate to drive anywhere now.

Jumper cables!
You never know when you'll get a battery drain going or a diode out in your alternator. Happened to me 2400mi from home. Take a look at the boots on your rear axles.

All fluids, belts, fuel filters, few extra fuses. Outside of your basic MB metric tools, you should be in fine shape. Did 3600mi 5 months ago, and now I couldn't imagine doing it in any other kind of car.

Most impoerantly....
 

Just bring more money, and some credit cards......

Personally, I would go over the car and check everything.....if you haven't set the valve lash lately, it might be a good idea.....also begin your trip on a fresh oil / filter change......air filter change too......

The person who mentioned hoses....check the little one behind the water pump.....

and bring your "MiteyVac" or equivalent.....

don't forget to check your differential (rear end) lube.....and shake your exhaust system while you are under the car......might as well check the driveshaft for any slop.....those flex discs can wear out.....front wheel bearing play also.......

SB

Note: I really do check everything, really everything before I take a trip that will take me more than 500 miles from home.......

A GPS - buy one
 

I bought a GARMIN nuvi GPS in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, for only $250 at Fry's Electronics, and I tell you, it's absolutely wonderful.


It is portable from one car to another, the display is different from night to day, you NEVER get lost, the screen adjusts beautifully to any angle for you, and it plugs in to the cigarette lighter or power point on any car.


I am not especially gadget minded, but someone in North Vegas who's a friend of mine is, and I am totally convinced it is a good idea.

I highly recommend one. TomTom and Magellan are other reputable makers of them.

late edit: I just now realised the OP has already safely made his trip!!! But I still recommend the GPS for him. He might never need a paper map again.:)

I would take what I keep in the trunk all the time: a quart of oil, a couple of spare filters and belts - if you've got the original tool kit, you don't need anymore tools than that. If you think you need more than that, either you know your MB is not well cared for or you are the worrying type.
We've been driving both our MB's (since new) for a combined 50-years of motoring and still think nothing of hopping in them and heading down to the coast or 1/2 across country. Why? Because they both have had 2K oil changes, 12k valve adj, 30K trans service, etc. and they are extremely low mileage - less than 10K per year - what's to worry about?